Minutes 2019-04-16 State of the CityCitizens and Councilors,
We have many things before us,
First, our 2018 Audit. The audit is a road map of numbers showing how we have been
handling Municipal Business. It shows our progress from for the previous year. It also
touches on some of the many needs that we have as a community.
An audit is basically our report card. It shows some of our SWAG, Our Strengths, Our
Weaknesses, Our Achievements and Our Goals. Most of this SWAG is shown in our past,
present and future budgets. Our commitment to being fiscally responsible is also reflected
and crucial to our sustainability.
However, it does not tell the full reality and challenges faced for this Municipality called
the City of Prattville. It does not completely detail our services and constant human
interactions. It does not show the countless volunteer hours and personal sacrifices. It
does not show how we take care of each other nor how we interact with each other. You
cannot put a price tag on these critical behind the scenes situations. It does not tell about
the changes that have been made or the dedication from our Citizens, our Business
community or our highly dedicated, trained and much appreciated Municipal Employees.
So, let me take a moment to showcase a snapshot of the State of our Great City.
We are blessed in so many ways that if I could count them all, it would take days, weeks
or even months. Let me cover just a few of our many blessings and number some of our
challenges for the future.
Our number one blessing is our citizens, both civilians and our military. This includes our
business professionals and our professional municipal employees. Also, I cannot leave
out our churches, schools, and our health care providers. They are a key component to
our success.
Our centralized location within the State has blessed us with an uptick in many economic
categories including small businesses. Revenues have continued to increase. There was
a 4.97% growth in sales tax in Fiscal Year 2018. Daniel Oakley will provide a more in-
depth Financial Report this evening. Our businesses including the hotels, restaurants and
retail stores have increased. We continue to see an increase in private investments.
Permits and Licenses are remaining steady with gradual growth. Housing is on the
upswing with current new construction and more lots becoming available. With this
growth, we shall not forget about affordable housing for this community. More housing
means more needs and/or a larger coverage area for our First Responders, Public Works,
Engineering, our Schools and Parks.
Quality of Life events and participation are increasing and improving. We are listening to
you and evolving while stepping up to the plate. We are blessed with more tourists, more
tournaments and more outdoor activities.
Economic investments are materializing quickly. James Hardie, the Alabama Department
of Public Health Lab, and our South Industrial Park Road and Bridge are just some of the
larger recent investments in this community. On a current side note, Councilors before
you tonight you will see funding to help with these investments and will pay dividends in
the near future. The $3.2 million in loan proceeds will be used to assist in funding
infrastructure projects in the South Industrial Park. The plans for these infrastructure
improvements heavily contributed to attracting James Hardie to the South Industrial Park
and will be utilized in attracting future businesses to the Park, as well.
While funds were internally set aside for the road and bridge project in the park, the total
cost of the project was more than originally anticipated. Following debt management and
cash flow analyses, we have used approximately $1.3 million of these savings on Project
Platinum.
Over time, the tax base and economic benefits generated from current and future
businesses operating in the Park will exceed the costs, including debt service, associated
with these infrastructure projects
We officially have an agreement with the Autauga County Board of Education for School
Resource Officers. The SROs provided by the Prattville Police Department contributed to
Prattville Junior High School receiving the 2018 Safe Schools Initiative Award of
Excellence. We as a community need to invest in our future. That investment includes
our schools and their growth, sometimes directly and indirectly. Stanley Jensen Stadium
would be one example of indirect assistance that the City of Prattville provides to the
ACBOE. Their growth and their success will directly impact our growth and our success.
I look forward to future discussions on this important topic.
Workforce Development is just one of the many ways to invest in our future. Qualified
workers are one of the many critical needs in new development and industrial growth.
Higher Education is available right here in the City of Prattville. Central Alabama
Community College provides training and development to evolve and educate the
workforce. Not only do we want to focus on K-12, but we also want to provide students
an opportunity to develop the skills and training needed to find a career locally.
I now want to focus on some of our challenges and future progress. It’s been said that
progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be. As Daniel
Pratt set the stage for us as the Birth Place of Industry in the State of Alabama, I feel
certain that he would understand this phrase. Our history is very important, but we must
incorporate the present while preparing for the future. We have many needs, many
predictable changes and many challenges in our forecast.
Our 2010/2014 agreement with Autauga County has expired. This agreement covered
maintenance and infrastructure in the outer areas of the City of Prattville. With the
expiration of this agreement and no new agreement, our Engineering and Public Works
Department are now covering and will continue covering a larger area. This means more
costs of doing business. A compromise was made with our Citizens in that area during
the 1999/2000 timeframe. So now we must plan for that additional coverage. This could
also affect our Public Safety coverage area.
Infrastructure needs are vast including storm water, streets, sidewalks, wastewater and
the list goes on and on. These needs come at a high cost. We can’t forget about adding
turning lanes to Fairview Avenue and the widening of McQueen Smith Road. We know
our sewer needs for growth are important and are being addressed, but maintenance on
our aging sewer lines is also required. We have just invested over $30 million from our
enterprise fund to enhance the Pine Creek wastewater plant. That project should be
completed ahead of schedule this May or June.
We have ordinances that need to be updated and our Master Plan needs to be reviewed.
We also have the important 2020 census coming before us. The Census numbers could
have possible Council redistrict implications. Again, this is only to name a few.
Citizens and Councilors,
8 plus years ago, I asked for the three T’s. Time, tools and talent. Thank you as I have
been granted the time. We have been blessed with the tools of financial resources from
our invested citizens via council. Our Department Heads have utilized these tools to
further commit to this community. For that, I again say thank you. Our Talent is housed in
Public Safety, Public Works, Engineering, General Government and Parks and
Recreation. Our Talent is our employees, and they are key to our success. They have
needs, and they have continued to complete their tasks at hand. They are well trained
and supported, and now we have before us an updated pay plan study. We are focused
on this study. We need to retain our most valuable commodity and the true backbone of
this Mechanized Service Oriented Organization. We would not be as proud to call this
Prattville our hometown and The Preferred Community if it wasn’t for our ever evolving
employees. I look forward to working with everyone to continue the change, accept the
challenges before us, and helping this community be the best that we can be.
While, perception is not reality, it is important. In reality, we are known as a clean, safe
and progressive community. Our Downtown is stunning, and our special events showcase
it even more. Christmas is truly magical in this community. Our downtown sidewalks
continue to be busy not only because of the beauty but also the safety.
We didn’t get here overnight, and we sure didn’t get here without change and challenges.
Over the many years since 1839, we have accepted the challenges of change. We have
embraced the winds that have blown us new Partners of Prattville in this City we all so
love. I predict that some change is still to come, but I hope and plan to be here for that
very positive evolution while keeping our small hometown feeling.
With all of this said, I stand here before you proud, Prattville Proud, to say that the future
of Prattville is bright, healthy and we stand poised and strong. We are committed to the
future with the continued prayers and support from this community. We stand intrepid and
proactively ready to embrace our unpredictable future.
May God continue to bless us, the State of Alabama and the United States.
Your Public Servant and PAWPAW to Lucy and the new twins, Millie & Grady
BGJr